About CumHike Club info Contact details Committee members Hike leaders Hike Programme Hikes in 2012 Newsletter Booking a hike Hiking Info Mountain conduct Hiking advice Membership Becoming a member Membership form Payment details Club constitution Miscellaneous Equipment retail Alien vegetation clearing Related websites	Alien Vegetation Clearing The Cape Union Mart Hiking Club supports the Vineyard Hotel & Spa "Adopt-a-Plot" initiative to clear alien vegetation in the Silvermine Valley, Table Mountain National Park. When we adopted the plot in October 2006, 70% of it was heavily infested by alien vegetation and the rest had pockets of infestations. If alien vegetation such as Rooikrans, Port Jackson and Stink bean burn, the fires burn far hotter than that of fynbos and result in the soil structure being affected. Such fires could even destroy the Fynbos species which rely on fire for their rejuvenation and spread of seed. In heavily infested areas, the aliens can use up to 50% of the surface runoff water into the surrounding streams. The result of this may leave the land with a monoculture and absent biodiversity - the plants, animals and insects that would normally be present are removed and, in time, this may even lead to a particular species becoming extinct. We visit the site once a month between March and November. Invitations are sent out to all staff at the hotel, guests and anybody who is willing to assist us in clearing the alien plants. We meet between 10:00 and 13:00, after which the hotel provides a picnic lunch to all those who attend. Naseema Click here to read the full Adopt-a-Plot story Click here to view the October 2011 brochure (includes map to location)